TinyDemon000

TinyDemon000 t1_j6cuhyh wrote

It seriously is! When we learn all the intricate cells that keep us alive its mad. How if the millions of cells inside one tiny part of the kidneys form just because of the right balance of sodium, potassium and a heap lf other stuff, and how they follow this genetic blueprint to be made in the right place at the right time...

We are a walking sack of salty water miracles my friend

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TinyDemon000 t1_j6csk1c wrote

At nursing school currently and just learning about the renal system so here we go:

Kidneys detect low rate of liquid passing through them > release 'renin' which causes our brains to activate thirst centre in the brain, telling us to drink more.

At the same, this renin turns into another hormone, which releases yet another hormone (ADH/Anti diuretic hormone) which causes kidney tubes to become more permeable to water, thus increasing our water reabsorption. It also causes yet a further hormone to release that causes sodium retention, because water follows sodium so this causes further water reabsorption from the kidneys.

This is why your pee gets darker as dehydration sets in, because the water is getting sucked back up.

If you were plenty hydrated, your body will dump excess water because this whole process isn't happening.

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TinyDemon000 t1_ixpgft4 wrote

Literally just did an exam on this in uni today so i will try my best here...

  1. alcohol affects a part of the brain responsible for fine motor skills, hence why we get 'sloppy' when we drink i.e slurred speech, staggered walking etc.

  2. adrenaline (and noradrenaline/epinephrine/norepinephrine) is a neurotransmitter (NT) released by something in your body called the 'sympathetic nervous system' (SNS).

The SNS is your fight/flight response. If you see something that requires tou to activate this system, such as a fight or you see someone in need of medical care while you're drunk, adrenaline is released.

Adrenaline is a very short lived neurotransmitter. It doesn't hang around for long (typically), enough to get you to safety either by punching your way there or running.

Adrenaline is a super powerful NT and overrides the relaxed/sloppy state you're in by allowing you to be hyper alert of your surroundings and energised.

Once your body no longer needs the use of the SNS, you will usually experience an 'adrenaline dump' in which you may cry, feel very exhausted and weak or feel like your sloppy old drunk self again.

TLDR Adrenaline et al doesn't sober you up, it just makes you hyper alert thanks to fight/flight.

P.s somewhat unrelated, incase you've ever wondered about 'breaking the seal' while drinking... Alcohol ibhibits the production of a hormone called ADH (Anti diuretic hormone). ADH is used in the body to retain water so you don't dehydrate. Alcohol stops this hormone being produced so you pee... A lot... And its very clear. Its not clear cos you're 'hydrated' its clear cos your body is dumping all the water out of you as nothing is telling it to retain it. #funfact.

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